The “truth” for the Macedonians
The “truth” for the Macedonians
Relatively small countries can have weight in international relations only if they follow the following rules (Scandinavians have developed this theory). In the first place, their positions must be principled and consistent. From there, they must be able to build coalitions and have the resources to defend their positions. However, Bulgaria follows the Byzantine, not the Scandinavian, school: it changes its position as it suits its interests at the moment. The problem is that Byzantium was an empire that the world had to comply with, while Bulgaria today is simply a sovereign country within a union of 27 countries. With wayward, unprincipled and selfish behavior, we cannot have weight and influence.
And here we come to the Macedonian harams. During the EU presidency, Bulgaria increased its weight in the EU by taking a principled position on the union’s enlargement to the Western Balkans. A coalition of countries was formed – in the EU and in the Balkans, which together with Bulgaria stood behind this cause. Concrete steps have followed to improve relations between countries in the region – especially between Greece and Macedonia, which has even changed its name to Northern Macedonia. All this was and is in Bulgaria’s interest – integrated Balkans would launch all countries in the region into a higher orbit of development.
Misunderstood “patriots”, however, dressed in ducal uniforms, are about to put their gags on the wheels of this historic process. Deputy Prime Minister Karakachanov announced that we will block negotiations with Northern Macedonia if it does not recognize Gotse Delchev as a Bulgarian (and does not accept the Bulgarian version of history as a whole). This is not a solo action of IMRO – alas, GERB and Borisov support the overall change in our position. For IMRO, this will surely bring a few more nationalist votes, but the result for Bulgaria is purely negative. First, we position ourselves as a major problem for Northern Macedonia on its path to the EU – this cannot make us friends in this country. Second, we want a country to do something that is unprecedented: to give up its own version of its identity and history. Even if this version is not historically correct, history is not a matter of negotiations between countries. The historical truth is proved by research and studies, not by the blackmail of a negotiating table. Such extortions bring only an insult that cannot be forgotten. Third, instead of really improving our connection with Macedonia (roads, communications, etc.), we are wasting our time “negotiating” history. Fourth, our position in the EU is becoming just as incomprehensible to other countries as Greece’s position on Macedonia’s name. And what did the Greeks “gain” in the end? Macedonia has become Northern Macedonia, which only reminds us that there is a southern one somewhere. By the same method, what we can hope for is to divide history into two: northern and southern history.
All this brings comedic elements to the crime, but also demonstrates a deep problem. In order to consolidate power for a month or two more, Borissov is inclined to abandon the country’s key priorities – in order to ensure the obedience of the “patriots”. Allowing them to demand that the constitution be amended through referendums and that they be held on all issues is just such a harmful compromise. It could push the country into a difficult populist trajectory for years to come.